Mixed Doubles

Tamako is a child table tennis prodigy who trains vigorously under her mother. After her mother dies, she loses her mentor and motivation, and she quits playing the sport. This early setback sets the stage for her later return to the sport.

Tamako falls for her company's table tennis ace, Ejima Akihiko. When Ejima cheats after the recruitment of a new player, Airi Ogasawara, the relationship sours and ends. Dejected, Tamako leaves the company and returns to her hometown.

Back in her hometown, Tamako discovers her father is deeply in debt and strained by his taxi business. She tries a canned food factory job but is fired for clumsiness. With limited options, she takes over the family's rundown table tennis club, which has only five members.

Hagiwara Hisashi, a divorced former boxer, moves to the area and decides to take up table tennis. He joins Tamako's club because his daughter has started playing. His presence gives the club a new direction.

Tamako resolves to aim for national recognition by entering the tournament. She chooses Mixed Doubles as the path to success and is reluctantly paired with Hagi.

All three pairs suffer crushing defeats in the regional rounds, underscoring how far they are from the top. Despite the losses, they vow to train and come back stronger a year later.

To bolster training, Tamako and the club recruit a group of former China national team players running a Chinese restaurant. These players become key mentors in their rigorous training regime.

After months of intense training, Tamako and Hagi finally defeat the restaurant pair and earn qualification for the regional tournament. The team grows stronger as they refine strategies and teamwork.

Hagi's ex-wife and daughter arrive at the club seeking his return and offer him a new job. The interview is scheduled on the same date as the regional tournament, forcing him to choose between family and sport.

Tamako decides not to participate in the tournament and goes back to work at the canned food factory. She hopes to stabilize her life while supporting her family, despite the disappointment of the club.

The other pairs perform better but still lose in the first rounds. Meanwhile, Hagi seeks Tamako out in the factory and confesses his love, telling her that his ex-wife and daughter have started new lives with another man.

Tamako and Hagi arrive at the tournament in time for their match, having left the factory to join the competition. They advance to the final, facing Tamako's former boyfriend Ejima Akihiko and Airi Ogasawara.

The final lasts until the last set, with Ejima Akihiko sealing the win through a lucky reflex save. Tamako and Hagi's effort is heroic, but the title goes to their rivals.

Despite the loss, Tamako and Hagi gain fame and their table tennis club becomes hugely popular. The journey inspires more people to join and the club thrives.